Medical Equipment Preparers
Prepare, sterilize, install, or clean laboratory or healthcare equipment. May perform routine laboratory tasks and operate or inspect equipment.
Also called: Central Processing Technician (CPT) · Central Service Technician (CST) · Central Sterile Supply Technician (CSS Technician) · Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) · Instrument Technician · Sterile Preparation Technician
Median pay (national)
$46,490
$35,400–$67,070 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
72,760
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+10%
~10,900 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for medical equipment preparers shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $67,070 versus $35,400 at the bottom 10% — 1.9x. The median of $46,490 leaves roughly 44% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +10% from 2024 to 2034 — much faster than the 3% average for all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 10,900 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 53 states with released data, California pays the most for this role (median $62,710, +35% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $26,300 — a 138% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Active Listening as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Writing
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Operate and maintain steam autoclaves, keeping records of loads completed, items in loads, and maintenance procedures performed.
- Clean instruments to prepare them for sterilization.
- Organize and assemble routine or specialty surgical instrument trays or other sterilized supplies, filling special requests as needed.
- Examine equipment to detect leaks, worn or loose parts, or other indications of disrepair.
- Maintain records of inventory or equipment usage and order medical instruments or supplies when inventory is low.
- Stock crash carts or other medical supplies.
- Start equipment and observe gauges and equipment operation to detect malfunctions and to ensure equipment is operating to prescribed standards.
- Attend hospital in-service programs related to areas of work specialization.
- Record sterilizer test results.
- Report defective equipment to appropriate supervisors or staff.
Tools & technology
- eClinicalWorks EHR software
- Kronos Workforce Timekeeper
- MEDITECH software
- Calendar software
- Database software
- Inventory tracking software
- McKesson ANSOS One-Staff
- MEDITECH Supply Chain Management
- Microsoft SharePoint Server
- Pyxis MedStation software
- Email software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft SharePoint
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Biology
- Production and Processing
- Public Safety and Security
- Administrative
- Chemistry
- Mechanical